Brides battle in new movie

Movie: "Bride Wars"

When: Opening Friday at local theaters

Cast: Anne Hathaway, Kate Hudson

Director: Gary Winick

The story: Lifelong best friends Emma (Hathaway) and Liv (Hudson) have planned every detail of their respective weddings since childhood -- until a clerical error schedules their separate ceremonies on the same day, transforming the bosom buddies into battling Bridezillas.

The buzz: Last January, "27 Dresses" arrived -- and became 2008's first hit chick flick. This January, "Bride Wars" is bidding to do the same. Hathaway had a good 2008 -- at least on screen -- winning awards for "Rachel Getting Married" and proving her action-comedy chops in the hit "Get Smart" update. By contrast, Hudson's coming off '08 turkeys "Fool's Gold" and "My Best Friend's Girl." No wonder she's taking matters into her own hands this time around, serving as "Bride Wars" producer as well as co-star.